A new support group for people struggling with gambling addiction has been set up in Morecambe.
The Peer-Led Gambling Support Group at Healthier Heroes is being led by Armed Forces veteran Ian Baillie, who has lived experience of gambling addiction and has successfully completed a full rehabilitation programme.
The Healthier Heroes centre in the West End provides housing, mental health and wellbeing support to the veteran community.
Ian contacted Beyond Radio asking to share his story, hoping it would help others who have experienced gambling addiction.
He believes he has gambled hundreds of thousands of pounds away over a period of more than 30 years, and says it led to him losing "family, friends, relationships, everything".
Content Warning - the interview discusses suicidal feelings.
LISTEN to Ian Baillie
Ian, who served in Germany and Northern Ireland, said he found life difficult upon leaving the Forces in 1991.
"I was on a bit of a self-destruct with my life," he said.
"I was struggling to cope with normal things like paying bills, coping with relationships. I had that pattern of life for quite a long time."
Ian said he was later diagnosed with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), having experienced trauma through a difficult childhood, the deaths of colleagues during his Forces service, and witnessing the Heysel Stadium disaster of 1985, where 39 spectators were killed after a wall collapsed at the European Cup football final between Liverpool and Juventus.
"I learned most addictions are because of trauma," he said.
"They said gambling was my coping mechanism.
"After coming out of the Army, I was drinking, homeless, fighting, and gambling sort of escalated.
"I was working as a personal trainer, I'd earn some money, I'd run straight to the bookies and blow it.
"It got worse and worse, the lying, the manipulation, needing money.
"Then the pinnacle of my gambling was when I arranged a boxing show, and (money) was split between local charities.
"I gambled the money. I did repay it afterwards, but that wasn't the point.
"Because of the shame and the guilt, I tried to commit suicide.
"I went to prison in 2015 and the day I came out of prison, I gambled again.
"I looked at gambling like a disease where there was no cure, and I thought, this is what I deserve."
After completing a rehab programme in Birmingham, Ian has been gambling-free for 222 days at the time of his interview with Beyond Radio.
"My aim now is to try to help others, and stop others falling into that trap," he said.
"It's easy to talk to someone who's had that problem and you can talk to each other.
"I've started the group, it's early days, and I'm reaching out to anybody who has a struggle with gambling addiction.
"Come along and have a chat. Anybody is welcome, you don't have to be a veteran. Addiction hurts everybody, yourself, family, friends.
"Reach out now and we can beat this together."
The sessions are held at the Saxton Centre, Alexandra Road, in the West End of Morecambe, on Wednesdays at 6.30pm.
"We are proud to announce the start of our first peer-led support group for those struggling with gambling," said a Healthier Heroes spokesperson.
"This group will be facilitated by Ian, one of our incredible volunteers, who brings lived experience of gambling addiction and has successfully completed a full rehabilitation programme.
"Ian is now ready to give back by supporting others on their journey - offering help, advice, guidance, and signposting to additional resources.
"Most importantly, he’ll provide a friendly face and a safe, understanding atmosphere where you’ll be welcomed without judgment."
You can contact Healthier Heroes in Morecambe on 01524 481692.
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